An apparatus and method for controlling the recording of television programs are disclosed. The apparatus displays electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal. The apparatus allows a plurality of desired programs to be reserved for recording based on the electronic program guide information. An icon is continuously displayed on a television screen in connection with the television picture signal when a program is reserved for recording. An altered form of the icon may be displayed on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program. A corresponding method is described.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An electronic appliance displaying electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal, comprising reservation means for reservation of picture recording of a desired program based on said electronic program guide information, and display means for displaying an icon on a television screen in connection with the television screen, exclusive of a recording menu, when a picture recording is reserved by said reservation means.
2. The electronic appliance of claim 1 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program.
3. A method comprising: displaying electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal; reserving a picture recording of a desired program based on said electronic program guide information; and continuously displaying an icon on a television screen in connection with the television signal, exclusive of a recording menu, when a picture recording menu, when a picture recording is reserved in said reserving step.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program.
5. The electronic appliance of claim 1 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording is impossible because a recording medium is not set.
6. The electronic appliance of claim 1 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording is impossible because a recording medium is protected from recording.
7. The method of claim 3 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible because a recording medium is not set.
8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible because a recording medium is protected from recording.
9. Apparatus for use with a television that displays electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal, said apparatus comprising: reservation means for reserving picture recording of a desired program to be recorded, based on said electronic program guide information; and display means for displaying an icon on a television screen of said television, in connection with the television signal; said display means continuously displaying the icon on the television screen, exclusive of a recording menu, when a picture recording is reserved by said reservation means, with said icon being displayed as long as the picture recording is reserved.
10. Apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program.
11. Apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording is impossible because a recording medium is not set.
12. Apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said display means displays an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording is impossible because a recording medium is protected from recording.
13. A method comprising: displaying electronic program guide information superposed on a television signal; reserving a picture recording of a desired program based on said electronic program guide information; and continuously displaying an icon on a television screen in connection with the television signal, exclusive of a recording menu, when a picture recording is reserved in said reserving step; wherein said icon is displayed as long as the picture recording is reserved.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible due to a specific condition of a recording medium for recording the program.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible because a recording medium is not set.
16. The method of claim 3 , further comprising displaying an altered form of the icon on the television screen when execution of recording the reserved program is impossible because a recording medium is protected form recording.
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February 2, 2001
April 9, 2002
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